Everyone stands for something. We all have certain things that define us to others. When I talk about the things we stand for, what I mean is: What are the things in your life that have the highest priority?

For some of us, that may be our relationship with Christ. For others, it may be church activities, animal rights, sports, work or entertainment. When your friends–and not just your closest friends who know you best–and acquaintances tell other people about you, what do they say?

Would you be identified as a talented singer or actress? Are you an attention-grabbing writer? Would people identify you as a great athlete? How would other people finish this sentence about you?

“My friend is all about ________.”

What goes in the blank? What are you all about? What defines your time? Does what others say about you match what you would want them to say? If it doesn’t, then it might be time to check your priorities.

If your friends would fill in the blank above with “sports,” but you would like the answer to be “Jesus,” then your priorities need to reflect that. They might need to change. People will always say that we stand for whatever they see us doing and hear us talking about the most.

If someone asked me what Nicole stands for, I would answer in this order: “God, her family, doing God’s work by inspiring young women through Project Inspired and bringing truth and light to Hollywood and the surrounding area.” I would say this because what I know of her priorities, and her sacrifices reflect this.

One way to start changing our priorities or to ensure that people know we stand for God is by asking ourselves the following question regularly.

“What has standing for God and following Jesus cost me this week?”

Standing for something always comes with a cost. The disciples knew this, and so do we. What we follow costs time, attention, practice, money, etc. Those markers of what we follow are how other people discover what’s important to us. What we’re willing to sacrifice also shows what we stand for.

So I want to encourage you this week to begin asking yourself, “What would other people say that I stand for?” Let us know in the comments below!

Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright (Psalm 20:7-8).

Jenn Arman is a youth pastor, freelance writer and blogger. She was born in San Diego, California and raised 2 hours north east in the Inland Empire where she lives with her husband David and their cats. Jenn desires to bring glory to God and a healthy dose of reality to Christians through both writing and preaching. Visit jenniferarman.com for more on her work. You can also connect with her on www.facebook.com/JenniferArman.Writer and https://twitter.com/JennArman

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Project Inspired

We here at Project Inspired want to guide and inspire teen girls to be true to themselves and to God. We want to show young girls how to be people of value and confidence – how to be your own best selves – through leading a Christian life. Who are we? We're a team of girls, like you. We edit the site, we post to social media, we hang out in the chat rooms and forums. We talk with you, we listen to you, and we love you!